Newcastle Toons
Fansided

Atletico Madrid striker would be good business for Newcastle United

By Durim Halimi

MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 08: Nikola Kalinic of Atletico Madrid celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Deportivo Alaves at Wanda Metropolitano on December 8, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 08: Nikola Kalinic of Atletico Madrid celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Deportivo Alaves at Wanda Metropolitano on December 8, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Newcastle United have a chance to sign Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic from Atletico Madrid this month in a loan deal.

Nikola Kalinic currently plays for AS Roma as a loanee from Atletico Madrid, but the Croatian striker is not happy in the Italian capital due to a lack of playing time. As a result of this frustration, Atletico Madrid are searching for new loan avenues and have offered Newcastle United a chance to sign Kalinic this month.

Steve Bruce is desperate to beef up his front-line and signing Kalinic would be good business for the Magpies. Newcastle United have only scored 20 goals this season, which is among the league’s worst tallies, so adding an experienced striker to a relatively young squad would be a smart move.

Overview: Nikola Kalinic

Kalinic has an impressive portfolio that consists of playing in Croatia, Ukraine, England, Italy and Spain. The 31-year-old has also competed in major international tournaments with Croatia and boasts a respectable record of 15 goals in 42 appearances with the national team. Kalinic was in the best form of his career few seasons ago when he played for Fiorentina. In two seasons with the Viola, between 2015 and 2017, the striker scored 33 goals in 84 games across all competitions.

His impressive form with Fiorentina earned him a season-long loan move to AC Milan, and the following season he signed a three-year contract with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid. Things are not going to plan for Kalinic as of late, though. His poor form in Madrid, which consists of four goals in 24 appearances, has seen him go to AS Roma on loan, but the Croatian has only played in three Serie A games this season.

Good fit for Newcastle United

Newcastle United need a veteran striker who is talented and eager to spark a resurgence in their career. Joelinton, Andy Carroll, Miguel Almiron, Dwight Gayle and Allan Saint-Maximin have combined to score a total of three goals this season, and with the relegation battle heating up Bruce needs to sign a quality striker this month.

Over the last four seasons, Kalinic has averaged eight goals per season, which is the exact same range Salomon Rondon was in with West Brom before joining Newcastle United and lighting it up at St. James’ Park. Kalinic might not be an eye-popping talent, but he definitely deserves a chance to showcase his abilities as a loanee.

Next. Joelinton's search for confidence at NUFC. dark

The fact that Kalinic has refused moves to relegation-threatened Italian teams is also a sign that he believes he can have an impact for a large club in a top European league. Well, Newcastle United have a chance to secure his services this month. We shall see what the club decides to do.